Breakthrough Energy Foundation is a public charity based in Kirkland, Washington, with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 2015, the foundation operates as part of the broader Breakthrough Energy network and focuses on accelerating the innovation of climate technologies across all stages of development—from discovery through development to deployment. The organization works with a global network of innovators, business and industry leaders, and policy experts to advance clean energy solutions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$75.2M
-49.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$71.9M
-1.1% YoY
Grant Count
149
+12.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$482K
-12.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Working with a world-class network of innovators, business and industry leaders, and policy experts, the foundation accelerates the innovation of climate technologies at every stage—from discovery to development to deployment.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Policy Development & Implementation: Developing and advocating for smart policies that public and private sector leaders can implement to support clean energy solutions
- Early-Stage Innovation Support: Supporting solutions in their infancy or that do not yet exist through the global Breakthrough Energy Fellows Program, which offers early-stage innovators support to bridge the gap from lab to market
- Climate Technology Innovation: Investing in cutting-edge research and development across climate technology sectors
Grantmaking
Recent grants include:
Grant Range
** $10,000 to tens of millions, with most grants exceeding $1 million
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a global focus with particular concentration in:
- Washington D.C.
- New York
- California
- International climate tech hubs
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $75,179,533 (as of 2024)
Total Giving (2024): $101,832,574
Total Revenues (2024): $32,501,173
Total Expenses (2024): $109,280,588
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) public charity; tax-exempt since March 2021
EIN: 85-3672460
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $75,179,533 | $149,387,605 | $151,460,317 |
| Revenue | $32,501,173 | $115,229,753 | $5,356,937 |
| Expenses | $109,280,588 | $107,742,439 | $124,246,345 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,246,808 | $4,201,447 | $2,734,670 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
151 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Chicago ($2,500,000), Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development ($1,750,000), Clearpath Inc ($1,238,520).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CONSERVATION COALITION INC WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY DEVELOPMENT | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ECONOMY WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | $450,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL ON RENEWABLE ENERGY-ACORE WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | $225,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | $47,011 |
| ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONGRESSIONAL STUDIES INC WASHINGTON, DC | EVENT SPONSORSHIP | $10,000 |
| ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONGRESSIONAL STUDIES INC WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY DEVELOPMENT | $60,000 |
| ATLANTIC COUNCIL OF THE U S INC WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY DEVELOPMENT | $300,000 |
| BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION LEAGUE ARLINGTON, VA | POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | $200,000 |
| BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER INC WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY DEVELOPMENT | $517,883 |
| CENTER FOR CARBON REMOVAL WASHINGTON, DC | POLICY DEVELOPMENT | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RODI GUIDERO | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CINDY LEEPER | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 6 | — |
| MICHAEL BOOTS | EVP | 4 | — |
Contact Information
Main Office:
- Kirkland, WA: 4110 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033
- Mailing Address: PO Box 563, Kirkland, WA 98083-0563
Boston Office:
- 250 Summer Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (425) 497-4300 or (425) 497-4303
Website: breakthroughenergy.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Breakthrough Energy Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Working with a world-class network of innovators, business and industry leaders, and policy experts, the foundation accelerates the innovation of climate technologies at every stage—from discovery to development to deployment. **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Policy Development & Implementation:** Developing and advocating for smart policies that public and private sector leaders can implement to support clean energy solutions • **Early-Stage Innovation Support:** Supporting solutions …
How do I apply for a grant from Breakthrough Energy Foundation?
**Grant Range:** $10,000 to tens of millions, with most grants exceeding $1 million **Annual Giving:** • 2023: $96,480,930 across 168 awards • 2024: $101,832,574 in total giving **Grant Activity:** Recent grants include: • RF Catalytic Capital: $10,306,054 (Policy Implementation, 2024) • Multiplier: $5,000,000 (Policy Development, 2024) **Application Process:** • Fellows Program: Rolling applications for Explorers; approximately 10 months decision time for Innovator Fellows (November to Septemb…
Where does Breakthrough Energy Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a global focus with particular concentration in: • Washington D.C. • New York • California • International climate tech hubs
What size grants does Breakthrough Energy Foundation award?
In 2024, Breakthrough Energy Foundation awarded 149 grants totaling $71.9M — an average of about $482K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Breakthrough Energy Foundation's EIN?
Breakthrough Energy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3672460. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Breakthrough Energy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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